When mold grows in your home or building, it can become a health hazard for you, your family members and/or business associates. Mold is ubiquitous (common) in all continents across the globe. When exposed to mold the majority of the population can handle low-level exposure, but the problem with mold is that it multiplies exponentially when it has access to moisture and organic substrates like building materials, food, soil, wood, paper, leaves and fabric.
The following steps may help to identify molds:
1. Check for patches that appear fuzzy, or cotton-like. Many household mold looks like this. If mold-like conditions appear on walls or hard surface, place a flashlight against the surface. If filamentous (long visible chains, threads or filaments) structures appear in the shadow of the light, most likely mold is present.
2. Identify mold by the discolorations. Mold comes in almost all colors of the rainbow, including brown, gray, black, green, yellow, white and orange.
3. Use your nose to find mold. Household mold by its musty or earthy smell.
4. Look for mold in places where you've had any water damage. Leaking roofs, leaky windows, plumbing leaks and flooding leave household areas ripe for mold growth. Check ceilings and carpets.
5. Know that the humidifiers and vaporizers you use for your health are prime places for mold growth...
